Worth

What if I told you this quiet village of Worth was once a bustling lakeside resort? Yes, right here, 10,000 years ago, Worth was one of Lake Michigan’s ancient beaches, towering 40 feet above the lake we know today. The Village of Worth has a rich and layered history. From ancient beaches to modern suburbs, Worth has seen it all. It’s a place named after a war hero, General William Jenkins Worth, a distinguished figure in the U.S. Army during the Mexican-American War. The name echoes the value and significance of this land. In 1835, the story of modern Worth began with John Blackstone’s purchase of this land. It was one of the earliest recorded sales in the area. Just a year later, it changed hands and became known as Lane’s Island, after its new owner, Dwitt Lane. Now, imagine Worth in 1858. John Crandall builds the first permanent home, a beacon of settlement on 111th Street. Soon, 31 more homes spring up, transforming the landscape. Fast forward to 1883, and Worth is a small but growing village of about 100 residents. By 1914, that number triples, and the Village of Worth officially comes into being. Worth’s growth is intrinsically linked to key developments. The construction of the I and M Canal in the 1830s brought workers and activity. The Wabash Railroad at the turn of the century connected Worth to the wider world, and the Worth Train Station in 1880 spurred further development. Even the land now occupied by Holy Sepulchre Cemetery once held the lively Worth Horse Race Track. And we can’t forget the Calumet Sag Canal in 1911, a vital waterway that shaped the region. Worth is embraced by historic waters. To the north, Stony Creek, a 14,000-year-old waterway once known as the Big Feeder, whispers tales of the past. To the south, the Calumet-Sag Channel, completed in 1922, flows as a crucial part of the Illinois Waterway. Worth even boasts one of the five Metropolitan Water District’s aeration waterfalls, a testament to its connection to water. As we stand here, we are on land shaped by time, by progress, and by the vision of its people. The Village of Worth, from ancient shores to bustling railroad stops and quiet suburban streets, holds a captivating story within its boundaries. It’s a story of growth, resilience, and a community that values its past while embracing its future.